Fear. Fear. Fear. The great inhibitor. I’m so done with being afraid of the “what-ifs”. But even though I’m tired of the fear, it still likes to rear it’s ugly head and try to impose it’s rule on me. Ugh.

The fear of rejection
The fear of ridicule
The fear of not mattering
The fear of …

Why is it something intangible can have such a hold, such control over our lives? What is it about fear that either paralyzes us to inaction or drives us to irrational behavior?

For example, looking back to my younger days, I now realize how fearful I was of disappointing my parents and other adults in my life. That fear motivated me to make life decisions that, although good decisions, weren’t necessarily the best for me. They made the adults in my life happy, but ultimately left me in the long run, unhappy.

If I can give advice to someone in their late teens/early twenties, it’s this: don’t automatically disregard the guidance given to you by your parents and other adults that you respect. It’s likely to be good advice. But before acting on it, be sure it’s what’s really best for you and not what’s best for them. It’s your life and you have to live with you until you die. Don’t make decisions just to keep them happy or because you’re afraid of upsetting them. I made that mistake and have paid the price. Thankfully, I’m still young enough to be able to rectify most of the less-than-best decisions and live an even more fulfilling and happy life.

Ironically, it’s the fear of waking up one day when I’m old and realizing I’ve only lived a life of regrets and what-ifs that motivated me to make necessary changes. I suppose a little fear can be a good thing…once in awhile. 🙂